The Velvet Teen

Imagine Jeff Buckley singing for an indie rock band in the vein of Death Cab for Cutie. That's what you get with The Velvet Teen (in fact, their first album Out of the Fierce Parade was recorded by Death Cab's Chris Walla.) Singer/guitarist Judah Nagler hits high notes no man this side of Brian Wilson should ever try. And he sings them extremely well.

The Velvet Teen play soaring and sweeping indie rock, complete with extensive keyboards, and excel at transitioning between upbeat tempos and melancholic ballads. But the obvious strength of this band is Nagler's voice. His lofty falsetto is effortless (unlike some of these "emo" singers who sound as if they are doing permanent damage to their vocal chords, our ears, and window panes everywhere when they "sing"). An exceptional band that should be checked out.